Mixed message

As the world lurches toward a crazy conflagration fueled by crazy people, fractures in common sense are everywhere.  Take, for example, today’s NY Times report from Texas, written by Peter T. Kilborn, which shows that even Dubya’s near-neighbors in the Permian Basin town of Andrews are conflicted and confused.

One of the Andrews resident interviewed for the story is quoted thusly:

But Jonnie Miller, 56, a hardy, crew-cut preacher and owner of L & M Backhoe, which specializes in cleaning up spills in the oil fields, worries about war and a loss of lives. “The Scripture says God placed President Bush in office to take care of us,” he said, “and my job is to pray for those in power to make godly decisions.

Wow!?! 

Now, I don’t profess to be an expert in Biblical scholarship, but I think it’s a pretty safe bet that there are no references to George Walker Bush in either the Old or New Testament.  Nor is there anything in Scripture that particularly addresses the “job” of Americans in regard to their relationship with governmental decision-making.

Mr. Miller continues, still combining valuable insights with, ummm, unusual concepts:

"But who over there,” Mr. Miller asked, “wants us doing what we’re doing except us and Kuwait? All life is precious to me. I don’t want to see one Iraqi killed. I don’t want to see Charles Manson killed."

I say again… Wow!?!  What mental process could possibly have introduced Charlie Manson into Mr. Miller’s statement?  What on earth is he talking about?

In toto, there are more pro-war than anti-war Andrewsians quoted in the article.  Which is, I think, fair reporting in a West Texas oil town.  Of the anti-war residents quoted, however, none were quoted as extensively as Jonnie Miller.

Comments

I know the feeling....

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Wow, that’s startling, and I should know better. Scripture actually says that? I’ll have to find me a bible wit’ dat innit!

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i’m a democrat, i attend jonnie millers (father cyrils) church, he is republican. i have heard the message loud and clear about the presidents we have had. while we hold elections and have one man or another put in office. we pery for that man from our heart. democrat or republican. and believe that it is the will of god for that man to be in office.

i’m gay, his church is one of the only churches i have found that excepts peolple for who they are and where they are without exception.  while our church isn’t listed as a “gay” church, it welcomes gays along with anyone else that may be different from what is generally considered “the norm”.  we believe that god’s will is carried out in every aspect of life on this planet.  all that we are ask to do as members of his church is try to live a life based on love, not judgement. 

i hope that this gives a little clearer understanding of what father cyril is all about. 

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Mr. Miller or Father Cyril, the man you say provides “valuable insights with ummmm, unusual concepts.”, is my Dad as well as my Father. I have a few comments on what you said.
The reason it is conflicting to you is because this was just small quotes and not his whole opinion. 
I think we all have a right to our own opinion just as we all have the right to disagree, I would however like you to understand where he stands on this before you start making comments and relaying his words wrong. The quote you put on there that included:
“The Scripture says God placed President Bush in office to take care of us,” he said, “and my job is to pray for those in power to make godly decisions.”
This is a true statement except my father also said that God places or has placed all our presidents there for reasons we may know or never know. Since this article was written as a Republican’s point of view I feel the need to point out that if it had been a Democrat in office, the same would have been said.  I personally did not care much for Clinton.  But I did as my Dad and my Father have taught me, I supported who was in office, because my faith lies in my God not a man in office or running for office. I, like my Dad, believe that you support whatever person is running the country at the time. Does that mean you have to agree ? No. 
And as far as your quote:
“Nor is there anything in Scripture that particularly addresses the “job” of Americans in regard to their relationship with governmental decision-making.”
If you look again, he did not say there was something in the scriptures that “addresses the “job” of Americans in regard to their relationship with governmental decision-making.” I believe he said it was “his” job to pray for those in power to make godly decisions. I do not see where that says or implies that its everyone’s or all Americans “job”. 
Also your quote, “I say again… Wow!?! What mental process could possibly have introduced Charlie Manson into Mr. Miller’s statement? What on earth is he talking about?”
The dramatic effect you put on his “mental process” made me giggle. It seemed to me as if you were saying a person would be crazy to say they did not want soldiers killed and that in fact they would not even want Charlie Manson killed.  What I believe he was saying is that he does not want to see anyone killed, even Charles Manson who most people would believed should be killed.  That was the reasoning for his mentioning Charles Manson. As far as this war or any war I do not know if we should or should not be there I am not God nor the President and personally I would not want to run this country for one second. I can hardly fathom the responsibility that each one of our presidents have had. But I can pray for them and have a peace knowing that God knows a little more than I do about these things. But again, that is just my opinion.
Thanks for your time,
Janie

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